Patrick Koshoni

Patrick Seubo Koshoni (17 April 1943 – 25 January 2020) was a Nigerian Navy Vice Admiral, former Chief of Naval Staff who had served as minister for Health during administration of General Buhari. During his tenure as health minister, he tried to promote a national insurance program that would provide medical treatment without requiring a down payment. He died on 25 January 2020, after a brief illness. He was aged 77.

Early life and education Born in Lagos on 17 April 1943, Patrick Koshoni joined the Nigerian Navy on 11 June 1962 after a secondary school education at St Finbarr's College, Akoka Lagos. That same year he started the naval cadetship training at the National Defence Training Academy in India and was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on 16 July 1964. He was married to Mrs Margaret Aderoju Koshoni with whom he had children and several grandchildren.

Career Admiral Koshoni attended many naval, management and leadership courses and headed many naval and military appointments, committees and task forces. He was a three-time minister in various military regimes, heading the ministries of Health, Transport and Aviation, Employment, Labour and Productivity. He was appointed Chief of the Naval Staff from October 1986 to January 1990, after several years of political appointments.

Vice Admiral Koshoni's tenure as CNS led to the Nigerian Navy Trident Strategy which articulated the Nigeria's maritime strategic imperatives while streamlining the acquisition of platforms for the appropriate size and shape of the NN. Other initiatives under his tenure included Manpower Rationalisation, Training Programmes, Logistic Reform and Morale Boosting Welfare Schemes.